October 19, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife, stating that legal proceedings are under way in connection with the death of the tusker Kavanthissa.
Speaking at the Presidential Environmental Awards 2026, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), she stressed the urgency of tackling the threats faced by wild animals, including illegal shootings, improvised traps and deaths caused by electric fencing.
The Prime Minister said stronger conservation efforts would require better-equipped field teams, improved professional training and an adequate number of veterinary surgeons. She added that the Government was willing to seek assistance from international specialists where additional expertise was needed.
Addressing the wider environmental agenda, Dr Amarasuriya said ecological protection must remain central to Sri Lanka’s development strategy. She warned that economic progress achieved at the expense of natural resources could not be regarded as sustainable in the long term.
As part of efforts to improve conservation work on the ground, the Government has supplied 100 pickup trucks, 185 motorcycles and nine tractors to the Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation. These resources are intended to strengthen field operations and help officers respond more effectively to emerging challenges.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce conflict between people and elephants. According to her, 5,000 Civil Security Department personnel have been deployed to maintain electric fences, while plans are under way to recruit approximately 1,600 additional officers for the Ministry of Environment.
She emphasised that the success of environmental protection depended not only on resources and personnel but also on the consistent application of the law. Environmental regulations, she said, must be enforced impartially, regardless of an individual’s financial standing, personal connections or influence.
The Government is also seeking to encourage businesses to adopt environmentally responsible practices by introducing incentives for investment in green technologies. The Prime Minister said such measures could help reconcile economic activity with the need to preserve the country’s natural heritage.
Dr Amarasuriya noted that national prosperity should not be measured solely through economic indicators. Clean air, reliable access to safe drinking water and healthy ecosystems were equally important to public well-being and the quality of life enjoyed by future generations.
She further described the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme as a broader effort to reshape public attitudes towards the environment, rather than simply an initiative to clear rubbish from public spaces. Its long-term success, she said, would depend on active participation from across society, including schoolchildren, university students, public servants and ordinary citizens.
The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored the need for a collective approach to conservation, with effective law enforcement, stronger institutions and greater public awareness playing vital roles in safeguarding Sri Lanka’s wildlife and natural resources.
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